Page 80 of Bad Seed
“Sadie.”
“You wanted to fuck me, and I wouldn’t let you because I had to prove that I could do it. And instead, I wind up in the damn hospital. The least sexy place imaginable unless your kink is bed pans and weird tape.” The tears are nonstop. This isn’t my first time here, or my third. I’ve been to the hospital eight times thanks to my allergy. The first few were when we didn’t know what caused it.
One time I ate my brother’s lunch by mistake.
Then Derek…
I keep shaking my head, the tears falling harder. “I should have told you. I shouldn’t have been a coward. It’s all my fucking fault and—”
“Shh, shh…” Aubry reaches over to run his arm across my shoulders and rub them. “It’s not your fault.”
“My fucking immune system…”
He takes a deep breath and closes his eyes. “You can’t control it.”
Oh, god, I disappointed him. I never wanted to disappoint him. First, I turn down his offer to live with him, and now this…
But the way he didn’t just vanish when I had my attack gives me pause. He saved me. He ran in here, refused to take a no or wait in line. Rushed me to a room and saved me life.
Again.
Who wouldn’t want to live with that?
Safe, happy, fucked within an inch of your life every day?
“Thank you,” I whisper and lean closer.
He starts to pucker up for a kiss, and I do the same. But before he touches me, he pulls back. I stare at him in confusion and he pats his lips. “They look a little sore.” Aubry extends his pinkie. I touch mine, then wince.
“Yeah. I guess they are.” Unable to kiss him, I lean my head over to rest against his chest. His heart is pounding like he’s still terrified I’m in danger.
For a long time we sit like that watching the old lady chop through her whole garden to make lasagnas and relishes. I like him. A lot. Sometimes so much it hurts.
And I want to be with him.
So why not?
Why don’t I move in with Aubry Gene?
“Sadie?”
His voice is so soft I nearly miss my name. Feeling drowsy, I crane my neck up. He’s staring through the wall as he runs his hand up and down my arm.
“Are you really allergic to eggplant?”
“Yep. All kinds.” Oh. Oh, shit. Of course. It all makes sense now. “It’s not your fault. This isn’t your fault.”
He gives the least convincing, “Hmm?” in all of history.
I get it now. Why he freaked out when he heard it. “I don’t blame you for eating eggplant.” Even if he said he didn’t like it before. Tastes can change.
“Right.” Aubry gives a weak smile. “I ate it. I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay.” I throw my arms around him and snuggle against his chest. If I had the strength, I would pull him into my bed—hospital rules be damned. “I didn’t even know I could have a reaction that way. Learn something new every day.”
“Yes. Yes, you do.”
“So, I guess, all you have to do is tell me when you eat eggplant, and I won’t drink your cum like a veggie smoothie.” I try to go for a laugh, but I full on cringe once it leaves my mouth.
